U.S. patent application number 15/262319 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-29 for multicomponent optical device for visual and audible translation and recognition.
The applicant listed for this patent is CRT Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to William E. Meyers, Joseph Sicari.
Application Number | 20160379054 15/262319 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57794008 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20160379054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sicari; Joseph ; et
al. |
December 29, 2016 |
MULTICOMPONENT OPTICAL DEVICE FOR VISUAL AND AUDIBLE TRANSLATION
AND RECOGNITION
Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to multicomponent
optical devices having a space within the device. In various
embodiments, an optical device comprises a first posterior
component having an anterior surface, a posterior support
component, and an anterior component having a posterior surface. An
optical device can also comprise an anterior skirt. The first
posterior component and the anterior skirt can comprise
gas-permeable optical materials. An optical device also comprises a
primary space between the posterior surface and the anterior
surface, with the primary space configured to permit diffusion of a
gas from a perimeter of the primary space through the space and
across the anterior surface of the first posterior component. A
method of forming a multicomponent optical device having a space is
also provided. Multicomponent optical devices comprise contact
lenses and/or spectacles, alone or in combination, that provide for
the ability to translate languages by visual and/or audio means
and/or may be able to recognize locations, objects, shapes and the
like and provide an audio or visual description of the object to a
user of the multicomponent optical device.
Inventors: |
Sicari; Joseph; (Mesa,
AZ) ; Meyers; William E.; (Scottsdale, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CRT Technology, Inc. |
Mesa |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57794008 |
Appl. No.: |
15/262319 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14502346 |
Sep 30, 2014 |
9442307 |
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15262319 |
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13980023 |
Jul 16, 2013 |
8911078 |
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PCT/US2013/032314 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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14502346 |
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61651722 |
May 25, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
434/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 2027/014 20130101;
G02C 7/049 20130101; G02C 11/10 20130101; G09B 21/008 20130101;
B29D 11/00076 20130101; B29D 11/00048 20130101; B29D 11/00807
20130101; G02B 2027/0178 20130101; G09B 21/006 20130101; G06K
9/00671 20130101; G06F 40/58 20200101; G02B 2027/0138 20130101;
G02B 27/0172 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06K 9/00 20060101
G06K009/00; G06F 17/28 20060101 G06F017/28; G02C 11/00 20060101
G02C011/00; G02C 7/04 20060101 G02C007/04; G09B 21/00 20060101
G09B021/00; G02B 27/01 20060101 G02B027/01 |
Claims
1. An object recognition system comprising: at least one contact
lens in communication with a pair of spectacles; a processor;
object recognition software; and an optical feature configured to
receive an image of an object and communicate a digital rendition
of the image to the processor, and wherein the processor and object
recognition software generate a descriptor of the object and
presents the descriptor to a user.
2. The object recognition system of claim 1, wherein the descriptor
is a visual descriptor presented on the spectacles for viewing by
the user.
3. The object recognition system of claim 1, wherein the descriptor
is an audible descriptor played for the user.
4. The object recognition system of claim 1, wherein the optical
feature is a camera embedded in the contact lens.
5. The object recognition system of claim 1, wherein the optical
feature is a camera mounted on the spectacles.
6. The object recognition system of claim 1, wherein the processor
is integrated with the spectacles.
7. The object recognition system of claim 1, wherein the processor
and the object recognition software are carried in an external
device.
8. The object recognition system of claim 1, wherein the object is
at least one word, the object recognition software is language
translation software, and the descriptor of the object is a at
least one of a visual translation and an audible translation of the
at least one word.
9. The object recognition system of claim 1, wherein the object is
at least one of a symbol or item, the object recognition software
is spatial recognition software, and the descriptor of the object
is a at least one of a visual descriptor and an audible descriptor
describing the symbol or item.
10. The object recognition system of claim 1, wherein the contact
lens comprises: a first posterior component comprising a
gas-permeable optical material and an anterior surface; a posterior
support component; an anterior component containing the optical
feature comprising a posterior surface; an anterior skirt
comprising a gas-permeable optical material; and a primary space
between the posterior surface of the anterior component and the
anterior surface of the first posterior component, wherein the
primary space is configured to permit diffusion of a gas from a
perimeter of the primary space through the primary space and across
the anterior surface of the first posterior component.
11. The object recognition system of claim 10, wherein the optical
feature is a camera.
12. The object recognition system of claim 1, wherein the contact
lens comprises: a first posterior component comprising a
gas-permeable optical material and an anterior surface; a posterior
support component; an anterior component comprising a posterior
surface; an anterior skirt comprising a gas-permeable optical
material; and a primary space between the posterior surface of the
anterior component and the anterior surface of the first posterior
component, wherein the primary space is configured to permit
diffusion of a gas from a perimeter of the primary space through
the primary space and across the anterior surface of the first
posterior component, and wherein the primary space contains the
optical feature.
13. The object recognition system of claim 12, wherein the optical
feature is a camera.
14. The object recognition system of claim 12, wherein the first
posterior component and the anterior skirt have a unitary
construction.
15. The object recognition system of claim 12, wherein the first
posterior component and the anterior skirt have a unitary
construction.
16. An object recognition method comprising: providing a contact
lens and a pair of spectacles; receiving an image of an object to
be recognized through the contact lens and spectacles;
communicating a digital rendition of the image to a processor, the
processor generating a descriptor comprised of at least one of an
audio descriptor and a visual descriptor of the object; and
presenting the descriptor to a user.
17. The object recognition method of claim 16, wherein the
processor includes object recognition software.
18. The object recognition method of claim 16, wherein the image is
received by a camera embedded in the contact lens or mounted on the
spectacles.
19. The object recognition method of claim 17, wherein the object
recognition software is at least one of language translation
software and spatial recognition software.
20. The object recognition method of claim 17, wherein the object
is at least one word, the object recognition software is language
translation software, and the descriptor of the object is a
translation of the at least one word.
21. The object recognition method of claim 17, wherein the object
is at least one of a symbol or item, the object recognition
software is spatial recognition software, and the descriptor of the
object is at least one of a visual descriptor and an audible
descriptor describing the symbol or item.
22. The object recognition method of claim 20, wherein the
translation is audibly played for the user or the translation is a
visual descriptor presented to the user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/502,346, filed Sep. 13, 2014, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/980,023 filed
Jul. 16, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,911,078 which is a U.S. national
phase filing under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.371 of PCT/US/2013/032314 filed
Mar. 15, 2013, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/651,722 filed on May 25, 2012, all of which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to multicomponent
optical devices having a space within the device.
[0004] Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] The development of various miniaturized optical components
and the ability to manufacture increasingly sophisticated optical
features has driven a growing interest in adapting an expanding
array of optical features and other types of technological products
to lenses that can be worn on the surface of an eye. Adaptation of
various optical features and other technologies to a wearable lens
can produce optical devices having thicker lenses than can be
accommodated while providing adequate oxygen supply to corneal
tissue based on the gas exchange capacity of conventional
gas-permeable optical materials and lens designs. Likewise, a
variety of optical components may not comprise or be compatible
with optical materials having the necessary properties of gas
permeability to ensure adequate oxygen transmission to the cornea
when placed on an eye.
[0006] There is thus a need in the art for optical devices that can
modularly incorporate various optical components or features of
interest while adequately providing for oxygenation of the corneal
cells.
SUMMARY
[0007] In general, the present disclosure provides multicomponent
optical devices having a space and related methods. For example, in
various embodiments, a multicomponent optical device is provided
that includes a first posterior component, a posterior support
component, and an anterior component. The optical device can also
comprise an anterior skirt. The first posterior component and the
anterior skirt can comprise a gas-permeable optical material. The
first posterior component can comprise an anterior surface and the
anterior component can comprise a posterior surface, with the
anterior surface and the posterior surface together defining a
space within the optical device between the anterior component and
the first posterior component. Multicomponent optical devices may
be manufactured using, among other processes, 3D printing and other
additive processes.
[0008] The configuration of the space, the gas-permeable optical
materials, and other features of the multicomponent optical device
can facilitate gas exchange through the device that is sufficient,
for example, to permit oxygenation of the corneal tissue of an eye
by a device comprising a finished lens. In various embodiments, an
optical device an also include a peripheral space, and the
peripheral space can be in fluid communication with the primary
space via portals through device components to provide for gas
exchange between the peripheral space and the primary space. The
peripheral space can facilitate gas exchange with the atmosphere
through the gas permeable material of the anterior skirt.
Similarly, the primary space can facilitate gas exchange with, for
example, corneal tissue of an eye to which a finished lens in
accordance with various embodiments is applied through the gas
permeable material of the first posterior component.
[0009] The present disclosure may provide multicomponent optical
devices comprising contact lenses and/or spectacles, alone or in
combination, that provide for the ability to translate languages by
visual and/or audio means. Multicomponent optical devices as
contemplated herein may also be able to recognize locations,
objects, shapes and the like and provide an audio or visual
description of the object to a user of the multicomponent optical
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the disclosure, wherein:
[0011] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate views of a finished lens having a
space in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway view of an optical device
having a space in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate views of an optical device
component in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate views of an optical device
component in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0015] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate views of an optical device
component in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a cutaway view of an optical device
having a space in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0017] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate views of an optical device
component in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a view of a porous spacer ring in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a contact lens and spectacles worn by a
user in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates spectacles presenting a translated
visual descriptor and a translated audible descriptor of a word
from one language to another in accordance with the present
disclosure; and
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates spectacles presenting a visual
descriptor and an audible descriptor of a symbol in accordance with
the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
various aspects of the present disclosure can be realized by any
number of methods and systems configured to perform the intended
functions. Stated differently, other methods and systems can be
incorporated herein to perform the intended functions. It should
also be noted that the accompanying drawing figures referred to
herein are not all drawn to scale, but may be exaggerated to
illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure, and in that
regard, the drawing figures should not be construed as limiting.
Finally, although the present disclosure can be described in
connection with various principles and beliefs, the present
disclosure should not be bound by theory.
[0023] As used herein, "anterior surface" refers to a lens surface
closer to an eyelid, and "posterior surface" refers to a lens
surface closer to a cornea of the eye.
[0024] As used herein, "optical device" can be used to refer to a
device having optical features or qualities, including, for
example, optical lens blanks, finished optical lenses or other
devices or manufacturing process intermediates intended to be used
for optical functions such as vision correction, aesthetics, or
other optical functions.
[0025] As used herein, "optical feature" refers to a sagittal
variation from substantially hemispherical (for example defined by
a sigmoid, a third order polynomial, a conic constant, or an angle,
which may be rotationally symmetric or asymmetric) in relation to
very high powers and cylinders, bifocal designs and wavefront
aberration nullification, polarization filters, refractive
lenslets, diffractive lenslets, selective chromatic filters,
bandpass filters, circular polarizing filters, linear polarizer
filters, gray attenuator filters, birefringent filters, zone
plates, mirrors, electronic circuits, electronic devices,
microdisplays, telecommunication devices, sensors, antennas,
nanowires, energy generation or storage devices, pharmaceutical
delivery devices, cameras, etc.
[0026] As used herein, "fluid communication" refers the ability of
a fluid (i.e., a liquid, gas, or semi-solid) to move or flow from
one location to another location. In the context of the present
disclosure, the term "fluid communication" may be used to describe
a property of spaces or conduits suitable to permit a flow of a gas
or liquid between two locations, such as by bulk flow or
diffusion.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, views of a finished multicomponent
lens 100 in accordance with various embodiments of the present
disclosure are illustrated. Lens 100 can comprise hard, semi-hard
or soft optical materials, as described in more detail below, and
can be configured for vision correction, orthokeratology,
aesthetics or display technology, to name just a few functions. In
various embodiments, a finished lens can be a scleral,
corneo-scleral, or corneal lens. Lens 100 can have an outer
diameter of from about 5 mm to about 20 mm, with smaller or larger
diameters being possible in special cases. By way of non-limiting
example, a scleral contact lens can have an outer diameter of up to
about 28 mm or more. Furthermore, a finished lens can be radially
symmetrical, bilaterally symmetrical, or non-symmetrical, and can
include bifocal, toric, or quadrant specific optical features or
geometries.
[0028] In accordance with various embodiments and as described in
greater detail below, lens 100 may be manufactured from a
multicomponent optical device, with the finished lens also
comprising a multicomponent lens that can include a first posterior
component 102, a posterior support component 104, and an anterior
component 106. The lens can also include a primary space 110
defined by a posterior surface of the anterior component 106 and an
anterior surface of the first posterior component 102. A lens can
also comprise an anterior skirt 108, which may or may not comprise
a portion of first posterior component 102, along with a peripheral
space 112 located between the peripheral skirt and the posterior
support component. First posterior component 102 and anterior skirt
108 can comprise gas-permeable optical materials that, in
combination with primary space 110, peripheral space 112, and
portals 114 connecting the spaces, serve to facilitate gas exchange
between an anterior peripheral surface of the lens and a posterior
central surface of the lens that would be located adjacent to the
corneal tissue if applied to an eye. In this general manner and as
described in greater detail below, a lens manufactured from an
optical device in accordance with various embodiments can modularly
incorporate any of a variety of optical features or devices in
anterior component 106 while providing sufficient oxygenation to
the corneal tissue of an eye to which the lens is applied.
[0029] With reference now to FIG. 2, an optical device in
accordance with various embodiments is illustrated. An optical
device can comprise a multicomponent optical device blank, such as
multicomponent optical device blank 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, or
an optical device can comprise a finished lens such as lens 100,
illustrated in FIG. 1 and described above. Broken lines in the
cross section of blank 200 shown in FIG. 2 depict the locations of
finished lens anterior and posterior surfaces corresponding to the
finished surfaces of lens 100, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0030] In various embodiments, multicomponent optical device blank
200 can comprise a generally cylindrical blank that includes a
first posterior component 102, a posterior support component 104,
and an anterior component 106. Blank 200 can further comprise an
anterior skirt 108. In accordance with various embodiments, first
posterior component 102 and anterior skirt 108 can be comprised of
a gas-permeable optical material and can further comprise a single
piece of material (i.e., first posterior component 102 and anterior
skirt 108 can have a unitary construction, with anterior skirt 108
comprising a portion of first posterior component 102). In other
embodiments and as described in greater detail below with reference
to FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B, an anterior skirt such as anterior skirt
608 can comprise a component that is separate from a first
posterior component such as first posterior component 602.
[0031] First posterior components 102/602 and anterior skirts
108/608 can be comprised of the same material, or, if the first
posterior component and the anterior skirt are separate components,
as illustrated for blank 600 shown in FIG. 6, can be comprised of
different materials. First posterior components 102/602 and/or
anterior skirts 108/608 can be comprised of one or more of
fluorosilicon acrylate, silicon acrylate, polymethylmethacrylate, a
silicon hydrogel, a biocompatible material, a transparent material,
or another suitable material. In general, any gas permeable,
biocompatible material is suitable for use in first posterior
components 102/602 and/or anterior skirts 108/608.
[0032] With reference now to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, first posterior
component 102 can comprise an anterior component receiving portion
and a shaft portion 220. The anterior component receiving portion
can comprise a circumferential wall and a bottom wall defining a
cavity that is open on an anterior end for receiving an anterior
component such as anterior component 206. Shaft portion 220 can
comprise a cylindrical axial projection with a configuration that
is complementary to and configured to slide within a shaft
receiving portion 222 of posterior support component 104, described
in greater detail below. The bottom wall of first posterior
component 102 can comprise an anterior surface 203. In various
embodiments, anterior surface 203 may comprise a convexly curved,
optically finished surface, and may further be of a diameter that
approximates or is otherwise proportionally related to a diameter
of a cornea or other anatomical feature of an eye. As described in
greater detail below, anterior surface 203 can define a posterior
wall of primary space 110 of an assembled multicomponent optical
device blank 200 or lens made therefrom, such as lens 100 (FIG. 1).
In various embodiments, the circumferential wall of first posterior
component 102 can comprise anterior skirt 108, additional features
of which are also described in greater detail below.
[0033] First posterior component 102 may also comprise various
reference features, reference surfaces and/or functional surfaces.
For example, and with continued reference to first posterior
component 102 comprising unitary anterior skirt 108, first
posterior component 102 can comprise one or more reference features
such as ridges 218 and/or grooves 219. Ridges and/or grooves may
have any of a variety of profiles and be complementary to
corresponding reference features such as grooves and/or ridges
located on the surfaces of other optical device components, such as
posterior support component 104 or anterior component 106.
Reference features may serve to enhance the location, alignment,
and integrity of fit between components of an optical device.
[0034] Similarly, first posterior component 102 may comprise one or
more reference surfaces. A reference surface may be oriented in any
direction and may provide a point or plane of reference for
alignment of the component with a second component, such as by
physical contact between one reference surface and a second
reference surface. For example, the peripheral surface of shaft
portion 220 may comprise a reference surface suitable for
determining alignment of the first posterior component 102 during a
mating process with posterior support component 104 in which first
posterior component 102 is slideably received by posterior support
component 104. First posterior component 102 may also comprise a
reference surface such as a transverse surface configured to align
with a corresponding (i.e., complementary) transverse reference
surface of posterior support component 104 or anterior component
106. Such a transverse reference surface may face anteriorly or
posteriorly and may provide a positive stop during assembly of the
first posterior component 102 with another device component in an
optical device manufacturing method that may rely on an
interference fit between pre-formed device components. For example,
a method of assembling an optical device can comprise a step of
inserting first posterior component 102 into posterior support
component 104, which step can proceed until one or more sets of
corresponding transverse reference surfaces align with one
another.
[0035] In addition, first posterior component 102 can also comprise
functional surfaces. In this regard, as used herein, a "functional
surface" can be any surface that contributes to a functional and/or
structural feature of an assembled optical device. A functional
surface can include anterior surface 203 of first posterior
component 102, as mentioned briefly above and described in more
detail herein. Referring briefly to FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B, first
posterior component 602 can also comprise a functional surface such
as anterior surface 603. First posterior component 102 can also
comprise a peripheral posterior surface 211 configured to provide a
peripheral space 112 between the surface and a peripheral anterior
surface 213 of posterior support component 104 in an assembled
optical device. Similarly, and with reference again to FIG. 6,
anterior skirt 608 can comprise peripheral posterior surface 611
and be configured to provide a peripheral space 612 between the
surface and a peripheral anterior surface 613 of posterior support
component 604. Peripheral posterior surface 611 and peripheral
space 612 may furthermore have any of the features or
characteristics described in more detail below with reference to
peripheral posterior surface 211 and peripheral space 112.
[0036] Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, in various
embodiments, peripheral posterior surface 211 may comprise a
surface described by one or more radial lines having an angular
deviation from the axis of optical device blank 200. For example,
peripheral posterior surface 211 can be described by an interior
surface of a segment of the altitude of a hollow cone, along with a
shorter and steeper angular radial segment configured to connect
the periphery of the conical segment surface described above with a
surface of the posterior support component 104 (i.e., peripheral
anterior surface 213) in an assembled optical device. In various
embodiments, the peripheral posterior surface 211 may be configured
to provide a continuous circumferential peripheral space 112 in an
assembled optical device. In other embodiments, peripheral
posterior surface 211 may be configured to provide a peripheral
space having a different and/or a varying size and/or shape, or may
be configured to provide a plurality of peripheral spaces in an
assembled optical device.
[0037] In accordance with various embodiments, the peripheral space
112 defined by the assembled optical device can facilitate gas
exchange between a peripheral surface of optical device blank 200,
or an anterior peripheral surface of a finished lens manufactured
from the blank (such as lens 100 illustrated in FIG. 1), and the
primary space 110, as described below. In various embodiments, gas
exchange can occur between peripheral space 112 and a peripheral
surface of the optical device or a finished lens via the gas
permeable material comprising first posterior component 102 and/or
anterior skirt 108. In other embodiments, gas exchange may occur
via fenestrations or other openings between peripheral space 112
and a peripheral surface of the optical device or a finished lens.
Gas exchanged between the outside of the device or lens and
peripheral space 112 can further be exchanged with primary space
110 as described in greater detail below.
[0038] First posterior component 102 can comprise one or more
openings such as portal 114 communicating between peripheral space
112 and primary space 110. In accordance with various embodiments,
a portal 114 can be any type of hole or passageway through the
material of the first posterior component 102, with the portal 114
configured to provide fluid communication between the primary space
110 and the peripheral space 112 defined by the assembled optical
device. In various embodiments, first posterior component 102
comprises one or more portals 114 configured to connect a
peripheral portion, such as a peripheral wall, of the primary space
110 to peripheral space 112. The number and configuration (i.e.,
size and shape) of the portals 114 in an optical device such as
finished lens 100 (FIG. 1) may be suitable to permit sufficient gas
exchange to enable adequate oxygenation of the corneal tissue of an
eye to which the finished lens is applied. Expressed differently,
the number and configuration of the portals 114 do not restrict the
capacity of an optical device blank 200 or a lens made therefrom to
provide adequate gas exchange between an anterior peripheral
surface of the device or lens and a posterior surface (i.e., the
surface adjacent the cornea of an eye in a finished lens applied to
an eye).
[0039] Referring to multicomponent optical device blank 600
illustrated in FIG. 6, posterior support component 604 may comprise
portals 614 that have a configuration and perform a function
similar to that described above for portals 114, with portals 614
configured to provide fluid communication between peripheral space
612 and primary space 610. In various embodiments, a first
posterior component such as component 602 may also have portals 621
that align with portals 614 and thereby further provide fluid
communication between peripheral space 614 and primary space 610.
Portals 621 may be drilled or otherwise created in first posterior
component 602 using any suitable method following mating or
assembly of first posterior component 602 with posterior support
component 604. In various embodiments, drilling or creating portals
621 after mating or assembly of the components assures alignment of
portals 621 with portals 614 and fluid communication between
peripheral space 614 and primary space 610. Possible locations of
portals 621 in first posterior component 602 of assembled
multicomponent optical device blank 600 are outlined with broken
lines in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0040] In various embodiments, portals 621 may be included in first
posterior component 602 prior to mating with another component of a
multicomponent optical device. For example, FIG. 7A illustrates a
first posterior component 602 including portals 621. In various
embodiments, portals 621 that may be included in first posterior
component 602 prior to mating or assembly may have configurations
comprising elliptical, rectangular, or other cross-sectional
profiles that may aid in alignment of portals 621 with portals 614
following mating of first posterior component 602 and posterior
support component 604.
[0041] In various embodiments, a portal 614 in fluid communication
with peripheral space 612 may not be in fluid communication with
primary space 610. Instead, a portion of first posterior component
602 such as a ridge or flange may occlude fluid communication
between portal 614 and primary space 610; however, gas exchange
between the primary space 610 and portals 614 (the portals 614
being in fluid communication with peripheral space 612) can still
take place due to the gas-permeable material comprising first
posterior component 602.
[0042] In general, optical device blank 600 comprises components
and features that are similar to those of optical device blank 200,
as described herein, with the exceptions that portals 614 can be
included in posterior support component 604, as described above,
and that the anterior skirt 608 comprises a separate component from
first posterior component 602. However, the various other features
described herein with respect to optical device blank 200 may
generally be found in optical device blank 600, and equivalent
features between the two optical devices are referred to in the
description and in the figures using equivalent numbering.
[0043] With reference now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, along with continued
reference to FIG. 2, an optical device such as blank 200 can also
comprise a posterior support component 104. In various embodiments,
posterior support component 104 can comprise a rigid optical
material that is biocompatible. Posterior support component 104 may
or may not comprise a gas permeable material. In accordance with
various embodiments, posterior support component 104 comprises a
material of suitable hardness and/or rigidity to provide structural
support to an optical device such as optical device blank 200
and/or finished lens 100 (FIG. 1). For example, posterior support
component 104 may provide structural support for first posterior
component 102, anterior skirt 108, and anterior component 106 for
at least a portion of a method of manufacturing an optical device
and/or a finished lens. The posterior support component 104 may
also provide structural support for an optical device comprising a
finished lens, for example, a lens such as finished lens 100 (FIG.
1), by providing stabile, flexure-resistant support for a finished
multicomponent optical lens with suitable apical clearance as
applied to an anterior scleral surface.
[0044] In various embodiments, posterior support component 104 can
comprise a cylindrical shape with a circumferential wall and an
open anterior end defining a cavity within the component. The
cavity of a component can generally comprise a receiving portion
configured to receive a separate optical device component, such as
first posterior component 102, that may be inserted into the cavity
or receiving portion. The posterior end can include a bottom wall
further comprising a shaft receiving portion 222 with an opening
having a diameter that is reduced with respect to the open anterior
end of the posterior support component 104. As described above, the
opening of the shaft receiving portion 222 and the cavity of
posterior support component can be configured to slideably receive
first posterior component 102.
[0045] Posterior support component 104 can further comprise an
axial wall 224 defining a protrusion from a posterior surface of
the bottom wall along with the posterior or bottom opening of the
shaft receiving portion 222. In various embodiments, the peripheral
surface of axial wall 224 and/or the peripheral surface of
posterior support component 104 may be suitable for attachment in
the collet of a lathe, for example, to facilitate machining of an
anterior surface of optical device blank 200.
[0046] Posterior support component 104 can also comprise reference
features, reference surfaces, and functional surfaces similar
and/or complimentary to those previously described with respect to
first posterior component 102. For example, posterior support
component 104 can comprise a peripheral anterior surface 213, that,
together with peripheral posterior surface 211 of first posterior
component 102 in assembled optical device blank 200, defines
peripheral space 112. Likewise, posterior support component 104 can
comprise one or more reference surfaces oriented transversely to
the axis of optical device blank 200 that may serve as a positive
stop for insertion of first posterior component 102 during a
process of assembling optical device blank 200.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, and with continued
reference to FIG. 2, an optical device such as blank 200 can also
comprise an anterior component 106. In various embodiments,
anterior component 106 comprises a cylindrical shape and may have
an insertion portion configured for insertion into an anterior
component receiving portion of first posterior component 102.
Anterior component 106 can also include a peripheral flange
comprising a reference surface configured to align with a
complimentary reference surface of another optical device component
such as first posterior component 102. Likewise, anterior component
106 can further include a reference feature such as those described
elsewhere herein.
[0048] In accordance with various embodiments, anterior component
106 also comprises posterior surface 207, which can define the
anterior boundary of primary space 110. In various embodiments,
posterior surface 207 may comprise a concavely curved, optically
finished surface, and may further be of a diameter that
approximates or is otherwise proportionally related to (i.e., is
the same as, is larger than, is 5% smaller than, etc.) a diameter
of a cornea or other anatomical feature of an eye.
[0049] In accordance with various embodiments, anterior component
106 can comprise any optical device or optical feature, as defined
herein. An optical device in accordance with the present
disclosure, such as blank 200, or a finished lens made therefrom,
such as finished lens 100 (FIG. 1), may provide certain previously
unrealized benefits conferred by the structure of the device as
described herein that afford substantial latitude in the
configuration of anterior component 106 (e.g., thickness) as well
as the materials and/or optical features (e.g., gas impermeable
materials and/or features that might impede gas exchange of an
optical material) used in anterior optical component 106.
[0050] In accordance with various embodiments, multicomponent
optical devices such as contact lenses and/or spectacles, alone or
in combination, provide object recognition capabilities with
features such as the ability to translate languages by visual
and/or audio descriptors to the user of such devices.
Multicomponent optical devices as contemplated herein may also (or
alternatively) be able to recognize locations, objects, people
(e.g., facial recognition), shapes and the like and provide visual
and audible translations or descriptors of the object to a user of
the multicomponent optical device.
[0051] For example, in accordance with various embodiments and with
reference to FIG. 9, an object recognition system as contemplated
herein comprises at least one contact lens 900 such as disclosed
herein and a pair of spectacles 920 (e.g., glasses which may
prescription, protective, or the like). The contact lens 900 and
spectacles 920 may wirelessly communicate, for example, via
Bluetooth, RF or other wireless communication mechanisms, now known
or as yet unknown, to facilitate the ability of a user to view
information presented (e.g., via LED, projection, etc.) on the
lenses of the spectacles 920 notwithstanding the close proximity of
the user's eye, contact lens 900, and spectacles 920, which would
otherwise be difficult or impossible for a user to discern.
[0052] The system also includes a processor 930 and object
recognition software 940. In various embodiments, an optical
feature 950, for example, a miniaturized camera, is provided and
configured to receive an image of an object 960 and communicate a
digital rendition of the image to the processor 930 and software
940 so that the processor 930 and the object recognition software
940 can generate a descriptor 970 of the object 960 and present the
descriptor 970 to a user of the object recognition system. In
accordance with other embodiments, the optical feature may comprise
other components such as those listed above, among others.
Similarly, in various embodiments, the miniaturized camera may be
configured to receive an image of a person's face, and communicate
a digital rendition of the image to the processor 930 and software
940 so that the processor 930 and the object recognition software
940 can generate a descriptor 970 of the object 960 and present the
descriptor 970 to a user of the object recognition system, based on
a previous association of a name with the image, which may be
beneficial in helping a user remember a person's name.
[0053] In accordance with various embodiments, the optical feature
may have its own "onboard" micro-power source or may be powered as
necessary via external power sources, such as by induction
(magnetic and other energy fields) or other wireless energy
sources. In the case of onboard micro-power sources, these may be
charged wirelessly by similar induction type sources while the lens
are being worn, or alternatively may be charged when removed by
similar means or via a wired connection to a micro-port on the
contact lens 900 or the optical feature 950 itself.
[0054] In accordance with various embodiments, the descriptor 970
can be a visual descriptor 971 presented on the spectacles 920 for
viewing by the user, while in other embodiments, the descriptor 970
can be an audio descriptor played for the user, for example, via a
speaker 972 located on the spectacles. In other embodiments, the
audio descriptor may be played through speakers located elsewhere,
such as through an ear piece or headphones, wirelessly (e.g.,
Bluetooth, etc.) or wired, or through other audio components
(radios, music players, computer speakers, mobile phone, tablet or
other PDA speakers, etc.). In some embodiments, both a visual
descriptor 971 and an audio descriptor 972 may be presented.
[0055] In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure
and with reference now to FIG. 10, the object 960 may be one or
more words 961, and the object recognition software 940 may be
language translation software (conventional "off the shelf"
software or software configured for a specific application) capable
of translating the words 961 from one language to another. After
translation, the descriptor 970 of the words 961 may be a visual
translation of the words shown in another language. For example,
FIG. 10 illustrates the word "ALTO" displayed as "STOP" when
translated from Spanish to English. Alternatively, the foreign
words 961 may be represented as an image or graphic. For example,
"aeropuerto," Spanish for "airport," may be displayed as an
airplane symbol. Depending on the configuration of the object
recognition system, any languages may be translated (e.g., English,
French, German, Spanish, Japanese, etc.).
[0056] Alternatively (or in addition), the descriptor 970 of the
object 960 may be an audio descriptor of the words 961 translated.
With continued reference to FIG. 10, "ALTO" is translated and
played for the user audibly as the English word "STOP" through
speaker 972. Again, depending on the configuration of the object
recognition system, any languages may be used.
[0057] In various embodiments, the object recognition software 940
may also recognize common shapes or colors, such as the octagonal
shape and red color of a stop sign, and visually and/or audibly
describe the same to the user. For example, in accordance with
various aspects of the present disclosure, the object 960 may be a
stop sign such as illustrated in FIG. 10 or may be a symbol, sign
or other item (a "thing") such as symbol for a bathroom, or a fork,
a chair, a mailbox, etc. and the object recognition software
comprises spatial recognition software 931 (again, conventional
"off the shelf" software or software configured for a specific
application) capable of identifying the object 960 and generating a
visual and/or audio representation describing the symbol or item.
For example, in the case of a blind user, when presented with a
chair, the object recognition system will audibly inform the blind
person that the object 960 is a chair.
[0058] In another example, with reference now to FIG. 11, a typical
bathroom sign 963 is illustrated. The spatial recognition software
931 identifies the bathroom sign 963 and generates a visual
descriptor 973 displaying the word "BATHROOM" in any number of
languages, and/or audibly plays the word "BATHROOM" for the user,
also in any number of languages.
[0059] Still further, as mentioned above, the object recognition
software 931 may also be able to recognize faces and display our
audibly play a name associated with the face to the user. For
example, a miniaturized camera may be configured to receive an
image of a person's face, and communicate a digital rendition of
the image to the processor 930 and software 940, which at the
user's discretion may allow the user to store the image and enter a
name (and other information such as employer, relationship with
others, etc.) associated with that person, either at that time or
at a later date. Upon encountering the same person at a later time,
the user may prompt the system to use the processor 930 and the
object recognition software 940 to generate the name associated or
other information associated with the person to assist in helping
the user remember the name and other information. The information
may be displayed visually or audibly played to the user. In the
case of audible presentation, a headset or Bluetooth like device
inserted in the user's ear, may be advantageous because it may
allow a name to be discreetly presented to the user, without others
hearing.
[0060] In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure
and with reference to FIGS. 1C and 9, the optical feature 950 may
be a camera embedded in the contact lens 900, though alternatively,
the optical feature 950 may be mounted on the spectacles 920, or
elsewhere. Similarly, in accordance with various aspects, the
processor 930 may be integrated with the contact lens 900, the
spectacles 920, or elsewhere. For example, the processor 930 and
the object recognition software 940 may be carried in an external
device such as a PDA, smartphone, tablet, laptop computer, or the
like.
[0061] Further, in various embodiments, contact lenses 900 as
contemplated with the object recognition system disclosed herein
may be configured as disclosed herein, for example, having a first
posterior component comprising a gas-permeable optical material and
an anterior surface, a posterior support component, wherein the
posterior support component provides structural support for the
anterior component which may contain the optical feature 950, an
anterior skirt comprising a gas-permeable optical material, and a
primary space between the posterior surface of the anterior
component and the anterior surface of the first posterior
component, with the primary space being configured to permit
diffusion of a gas from a perimeter of the primary space through
the primary space and across the anterior surface of the first
posterior component. Alternatively, the optical feature 950 may be
contained with the primary space, or elsewhere in the contact
lens.
[0062] Similarly, methods using the object recognition system
comprise providing at least one contact lens 900 and a pair of
spectacles 920, receiving an image of an object 960 to be
recognized through the contact lens 900 and spectacles 920, then
communicating a digital rendition of the image to a processor 930,
the processor 930 generating a descriptor 970 comprised of at least
one of an audio descriptor and a visual descriptor 971 of the
object; and then presenting the descriptor 970 to a user.
[0063] In accordance with various embodiments and as mentioned
above, a multicomponent optical device can comprise a primary space
110 configured to provide gas exchange for the corneal tissue of an
eye. In various embodiments, the primary space has a diameter
sufficient to provide gas exchange from the primary space through
the posterior wall (i.e., a portion of gas permeable posterior
component 102) of the space to the corneal tissue that would
underlie an eye to which the optical device was applied. Likewise,
a primary space can have a height (i.e., a distance between the
anterior wall and the posterior wall of the space) that is
sufficient to permit molecular diffusion of a gas such as oxygen
and/or bulk flow of air (or any other fluid) from a peripheral
portion of the primary space 110 to a remote portion of the primary
space, such as the central portion that is most distant from the
periphery of the primary space. Expressed differently, the
configuration of the primary space, including, for example, the
distance and uniformity of the dimension between the anterior and
the posterior walls; the diameter of the primary space; the
three-dimensional shape of the primary space; the configuration of
a peripheral space and the number, size, and configuration of
portals communicating between the peripheral space and the primary
space; the requirement for structural support such as support rings
within the primary space; the overall configuration of the lens
including the size and shape of the lens; the composition of the
oxygen permeable materials used in the gas exchange zones; and the
thickness and surface area of the device in the gas exchange zones;
may influence, and can be designed or engineered to accomplish, the
optical performance objectives of the multicomponent optical device
while providing for sufficient gas exchange of the corneal tissue
to ensure corneal tissue health during wear.
[0064] In various embodiments, a primary space 110 can also
comprise a peripheral channel 230 located at the perimeter or
peripheral circumference of the primary space. A peripheral channel
230 can be defined by an anterior component such as anterior
component 106 and a first posterior component such as first
posterior component 102 and can be continuous with primary space
110. The peripheral channel 230 can be formed or defined by a
feature such as a jog or other change in the profile of the
anterior component 106, the first posterior component 102, or both.
In various embodiments, the peripheral channel of primary space 110
can have a height that is greater than the height of the primary
space. The peripheral channel portion of primary space 110 may
serve as the portion of the primary space to which portals 114
connect (i.e., portals 114 open in or on the peripheral channel of
primary space 110).
[0065] Primary space 110 can be filled with any medium, or number
of mediums, of matter, for example a gas (e.g., air or oxygen), a
liquid (e.g., water or saline), and a solid (e.g., a gel or a rigid
solid).
[0066] In accordance with various embodiments, the configuration of
the primary space of an optical device is not deformable, such as
to provide adaptability of the optical device to external pressure
changes. In various embodiments, a supplementary support component
may be included in the primary space of an optical device. For
example and with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, an optical device
may include a porous spacer ring 216 in primary space 110. Porous
spacer ring 216 may comprise a ring having a height corresponding
to the distance between anterior surface 203 and posterior surface
207 defining primary space 110, as well as a diameter smaller than
the diameter of primary space 110. In various embodiments, a porous
spacer ring 216 can be an independent component, as illustrated in
FIG. 8, or a porous spacer ring can comprise or be integral to
another component of a device such as anterior component 106 or
first posterior component 102. Porous spacer ring 216 can comprise
any suitable material, such as an optical material or other
structural material. Porous spacer ring 216 can be configured be
configured to fit within a primary space 110 and to have a diameter
and/or thickness suitable to minimize interference with the optical
performance of the device or appearance as a visible artifact to a
wearer. Porous spacer ring 216 may also comprise portals or holes
840 in the walls of the ring that enable substantially unobstructed
gas exchange within the primary space but do not compromise the
ability of the ring to provide supplemental structural support for
a uniform height of primary space 110 in an optical device.
[0067] In accordance with various embodiments and with reference to
FIG. 2, a multicomponent optical device, such as optical device
blank 200, can be prepared by a process comprising mating separate
device components and bonding the mated components to form a
multicomponent optical device. For example, a multicomponent
optical device can be prepared by a process comprising mating a
gas-permeable first device component, such as first posterior
component 102, to a second device component, such as posterior
support component 104. In various embodiments, mating can comprise
inserting a preformed device component into a receiving portion of
a second device component. In other embodiments, mating can
comprise injection molding, casting, or otherwise forming or
depositing material of one device component into another device
component.
[0068] A multicomponent optical device can further be prepared by
bonding the first device component to the second device component.
In accordance with various embodiments, bonding can comprise an
interference fit between one or more surfaces and/or surface
features of each component. Bonding can also comprise applying an
adhesive, welding, or otherwise joining the first device component
to the second device component. In various embodiments comprising
mating by processes such as molding or casting, mating and bonding
may not comprise distinguishable process steps. For example, mating
and bonding may essentially occur together upon curing of the
molded material. Likewise, where bonding comprises an interference
fit, bonding may occur contemporaneously with mating or insertion
of one device component into the second device component.
[0069] In various embodiments, a multicomponent optical device can
be prepared by a process further comprising mating a third device
component, such as anterior component 106, to the first device
component. In accordance with various embodiments, following mating
of the third device component to the first device component, a
space such as primary space 110 remains between an anterior surface
of the first device component and a posterior surface of the third
device component, as described in detail elsewhere herein. In
various embodiments, a multicomponent optical device may be
prepared by placing a porous spacer ring, such as porous spacer
ring 216, between the anterior surface of the first device
component and the posterior surface of the third device component.
A device can be prepared by further bonding the third device
component to the first device component. Mating and bonding of the
first and third device components can be performed as described
above with respect to the first and second device components.
[0070] In various embodiments, a multicomponent optical device can
be prepared by a process further comprising forming a peripheral
space, such as peripheral space 112, between the second device
component and an anterior skirt portion of the first device
component. In various embodiments, forming a peripheral space may
occur as a result of the completion of a mating and/or bonding
step, for example, by aligning reference surfaces and/or functional
surfaces of two or more separate components.
[0071] In accordance with various embodiments and with reference to
FIG. 6, a multicomponent optical device such as optical device
blank 600 can be prepared by a process such as that described above
with respect to blank 200, the process further comprising mating a
gas-permeable anterior skirt component to at least one of the
second device component and the third device component, wherein the
anterior skirt component is mated separately from the first device
component. In such embodiments, the anterior skirt component may
comprise a separate component from the first device component. For
example, first device component, second device component, third
device component, and anterior skirt component may correspond to
first posterior component 602, posterior support component 604,
anterior component 606, and anterior skirt 608. The anterior skirt
component may be bonded to at least one of the second device
component and the third device component, and a peripheral space
may be formed between the anterior skirt component and the second
device component.
[0072] In accordance with various embodiments, the components of an
optical device, such as blanks 200 and 600, can be mated in any
logical order. For example, and with reference to FIG. 6, first
posterior component 602 may be mated to the other components in the
last mating step, or first posterior component 602 may be mated to
posterior support component 604 and anterior component 606 can be
mated to anterior skirt 608, followed by mating of the two sets of
components.
[0073] In accordance with various embodiments, a multicomponent
optical device can be prepared by a process further comprising
machining a finished lens from a multicomponent optical device
blank such as multicomponent optical device blanks 100 and 600. In
various embodiments, machining can comprise a process such as
milling, lathing, or the like, to produce a finished lens such as a
scleral lens that may be applied to an eye.
[0074] In accordance with various embodiments, a method of
manufacturing a multicomponent optical device is provided. A method
can comprise inserting an anterior component comprising an
insertion portion having a posterior surface into in a support
structure comprising a receiving portion. A method can further
comprise aligning a reference surface of the anterior component
with a reference surface of the support structure, joining the
anterior component to the support structure, and forming a primary
space between an anterior surface of the support structure and the
posterior surface of the anterior component insertion portion. In
accordance with various embodiments, the anterior surface of the
optical device support component comprises a gas permeable
material, and the primary space formed during the method is
configured to permit communication of a gas with at least a portion
of the anterior surface of the support structure.
[0075] In accordance with various embodiments of a method as
disclosed herein and with reference to FIG. 2, an anterior
component can comprise a component such as anterior component 106
having the various features previously described with reference
thereto. Likewise, a support structure can comprise one or more
components, such as first posterior component 102 as a first
support structure component and posterior support component 104 as
a second support structure component. A third support structure of
a method in accordance with various embodiments can comprise a
component such as first posterior component 602 (FIG. 6).
[0076] In various embodiments, inserting an anterior component can
comprise aligning an insertion portion of the anterior component
with the receiving portion of the support structure and pressing
the anterior component into the support structure. A method can
further comprise aligning a reference surface of the anterior
component with a corresponding and/or complementary reference
surface of the support structure. Aligning a reference surface can
comprise aligning one or more sets of reference surfaces, and can
further comprise aligning one or more sets of reference features
that may or may not be disposed on or in a reference surface. In
various embodiments, the inserting step can proceed until one or
more sets of complementary reference surfaces come into contact
with one another and provide a positive stop (i.e., provide
physical interference) to the progress of the inserting step.
[0077] A method in accordance with various embodiments can further
comprise joining two components, such as joining the anterior
component to the support structure. Joining can comprise any type
of association between the anterior component and the support
structure, such as an interference fit, adhesive bonding, welding,
or the like.
[0078] In various embodiments, a method can further comprise
forming a primary space, such as primary space 110 (FIG. 2) or 610
(FIG. 6), having the features of a primary space previously
described herein. The primary space can be formed by inserting and
aligning the anterior component with the support structure, as
described above, or the primary space can be formed by inserting
and aligning a third support structure component, such as first
posterior component 602 (FIG. 6).
[0079] In various embodiments, mating the oxygen permeable first
support structure component to the non-permeable second support
structure component can create a peripheral space between the
components. Furthermore, the oxygen permeable first support
structure component can be configured with portals to permit
communication of a gas between the peripheral space and the primary
space, as described previously with respect to optical device
blanks 200 and 600.
[0080] In accordance with various embodiments and as noted briefly
above, multicomponent optical devices may be manufactured using 3D
printing and other additive processes, such as for example, those
disclosed in Application No. WO/2015/151004 entitled "ADDITIVE
MANUFACTURING OF MOLDS AND METHODS OF MAKING MOLDS AND DEVICES
THEREFROM," which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0081] Additionally, 3D printing of microlenses may be implemented
in connection with the multicomponent optical devices disclosed
herein. For example, by combining ultra-short laser pulses of a
femtosecond laser with optical photoresist, microlenses such lenses
may be manufactured with "conventional" shapes, or more
labyrinthine shapes, which may in turn be embedded individually or
in an array within contact lenses such as those disclosed herein.
In various embodiments, the femtosecond laser may be focused using
a microscope, and its pulses are sent into a liquid photoresist
placed on a substrate such as an optical fiber or a glass
substrate. Photons of the femtosecond laser beam are absorbed and
expose the photoresist, crosslinking and hardening the polymer. The
substrate can then be turned over and the other side of the lenses
printed thereon. After removing unexposed photoresist, for example,
with a solvent, the remaining hardened, transparent polymer forms
the microlens. The resulting lenses are sufficiently small and
sufficiently accurate, that it is possible for multicomponent
optical systems such as disclosed herein to contain more than one
microlens in a given contact lens.
[0082] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure
without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus,
it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications
and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0083] Likewise, numerous characteristics and advantages have been
set forth in the preceding description, including various
alternatives together with details of the structure and function of
the devices and/or methods. The disclosure is intended as
illustrative only and as such is not intended to be exhaustive. It
will be evident to those skilled in the art that various
modifications may be made, especially in matters of structure,
materials, elements, components, shape, size and arrangement of
parts including combinations within the principles of the
invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad, general
meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. To
the extent that these various modifications do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the appended claims, they are intended to be
encompassed therein.
* * * * *